Hurricanes to probe Waratahs midfield

The Hurricanes can see a possible chink in the Waratahs midfield pairing of Adam Ashley-Cooper and Karmichael Hunt but say exposing it will be no easy matter.

Coach John Plumtree has named a team that could be vulnerable itself in Saturday's Super Rugby match at Brookvale Oval, with a key injury in the pack exacerbating the absence of star playmaker Beauden Barrett.

The presence of new NSW recruit Ashley-Cooper, the veteran Wallaby outside centre who is gunning for a World Cup berth, caught the eye of Plumtree.

The 34-year-old and Queensland Reds discard Hunt, 32, have played just 10 minutes together in the pre-season, making them a possible focal point for accomplished Hurricanes midfield pairing Ngani Laumape and Matt Proctor.

"A lot will depend on what type of ball we get. If we get the fast ball that we want and we play the style of rugby that we want then we can get to them," Plumtree said.

"We've got to win some momentum. All those things can happen if we play well enough."

The Hurricanes backline is at full strength aside from the absence of honeymooning All Black Barrett, who is replaced at five-eighth by former Highlander Fletcher Smith.

Smith will start outside captain for the day and All Blacks halfback TJ Perenara, with Plumtree choosing to ease club skipper Dane Coles into action off the bench.

The Hurricanes will field a small, inexperienced locking combination following a serious chest muscle injury suffered by former Waratahs lock Sam Lousi, a hamstring niggle for Vaea Fifita and the departure to England of Michael Fatialofa.

Super Rugby rookie Liam Mitchell has been thrown into the deep end alongside little-used lock James Blackwell.

"Our depth's been tested pretty early. We'll find out how they cope with that, it's going to be a pressure-cooker in Sydney," Plumtree said.

"(The Waratahs) are big, they're physical and they play really direct rugby.

"I expect this will be one of the tougher challenges, especially at Brookvale Oval. It's pretty small ground - a pretty intimidating environment I'd say."

Two other Hurricanes forwards - prop Xavier Numia and loose forward Du'Plessis Kirifi - are poised for Super Rugby debuts off the bench.